ODEN (FONG)

Come For The Children (Maranatha/Asaph MM0051A) 1979

Mustard Seed Faith alumnus Oden Fong’s first solo lp has much of the same lyrical depth that gave Sail On Sailor many admirers, the atmosphere reverie of ‘The Mask’ being a prime example. The powerful seven-minute title track is pretty serious rock n roll, way heavier than anything on MSF. ‘Crazy Voices’ and the rural rocking ‘White Eagle’ have some fairly crunchy guitar as well. A few mild progressive touches here and there. Also a hint of Fogelberg on the stately ‘Ready To Fly’. Melodic pop-rock and moving ballads fill out the rest of this brilliant work, the gentle ‘She Begins To Sing’ being particularly lovely. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Oden has one of the most stirring voices in the whole Jesus music scene. Soft string orchestration in parts. Oden on acoustic and electric guitars, assisted by the usual gang of Maranatha musicians, plus appearances by Michele Pillar and Bob Bennett on backing vocals. Fetching Rick Griffin cover art. (The Archivist, 4th edition by Ken Scott).